The influences of regulatory changes on audit quality: a case study of Indonesia

From the perspective of the institutional theory and focusing on the concept of isomorphism and the three pillars of institution, this thesis examined the auditing regulatory changes in Indonesia and how such changes affected the developments and implementation of its Audit Quality (AQ). It employed the qualitative approach with
three phases of data collection and analysis involving interviews, document inspections, observations and case studies. The first phase explored how accounting regulators act as institutional agents in affecting regulatory changes concerning AQ in the country. The second phase sought practitioners’ views on those changes and how they were affecting their practices. Using the case study approach, the third phase went deeper into this issue by investigating its implementation through two case studies consisting of one local and one global audit firm. The analysis revealed how
regulators have undertaken significant efforts in improving AQ through the enhancement of auditing statutory and institutional frameworks. However, practitioners gave mixed reactions on the efforts even though they shared similar general expectations on the regulatory changes. The case studies provided evidence of how AQ is being implemented and improved in both firms. Improvements were affected through the education of auditors, strengthening of the ethical values of the auditors, and quality control of the practices. This study showed how the regulative pillar was mobilized by Indonesian accounting regulators as a foundation to
strengthen the AQ. The institutional analysis also showed the interplay of normative and cultural-cognitive pressures in influencing practitioners’ views on AQ efforts more than the coercive pressure. From the practical side, it was evident that local and
global firms perceived and responded differently on coercive and culture-cognitive pressures. This study illustrates how institutional pressures explain the development and enhancement of AQ in an emerging economy.